Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 32,262, James Gage, N.C.

SERVICE
NUMBER
NC
Gage, James
S. 32,262
Born N.Y. State
CONTENTS

Letter to Pen Agt 11 Aug 483
Arkansas 31.286
James Sage Madison Co in the State of Arkansas who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Werengen of the Regt commanded by Col Thomas in the North West line for 9 mos & 10 days
Inscribed on the Roll of Arkansas at the rate of 30 Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 9th day of Novr 1837 and sent Novr 4. Yell House of Reps
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1837 $197.14 Semi-ant. allowance ending Nov 1838 15.16 $212.30
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by h.h. Adair Clerk. Book 2 Vol. 9 Page 122

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of congress of the 7 th of June, 1832.
State of Arkansas } County of Madison } 53.
On this 22 nd day of September in the year 1837 personally appeared before me John Austin a Justice of the Peace, and of the County-court (a court of Record) in and for the county of Madison and state of Arkansas James Gage aged eighty three years, a resident of the county and state aforesaid. The said Gage, by reason of bodily infirmity, being unable to appear in court, the place of holding court in said County being 17 miles from his residence, and said Gage blind and very infirm, so much so, that he could not be conveyed to the Court-house of said County, even in a carriage, without manifest hazard of his life, at his instance, the undersigned Justice as aforesaid attended at the dwelling house of said Gage in the county and state aforesaid and on the day aforesaid. And the said James Gage, being then and there, duly sworn according to law doth on his Oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the Act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832.
This Declarant, on his said Oath states, that he entered into the service of the United States a volunteer private of militia, at the plantation of John Withers, in the county of Rutherford, state of North Carolina where he then lived under Captain Robert Porter and as is his best recollection on or about the 1 st day of June 1776. Declarant states, that at that time, the Indians had recently committed depredations on an adjacent settlement; that the inhabitants of Withers's neighborhood became alarmed for their safety. That a Fort was built at Withers's called McGaha's Fort for the security of the inhabitants of the surrounding country; that a volunteer militia company was raised to guard said Fort and the inhabitants of the country from Indian incursions; that on Captain Robert Porter, was conferred, the command of the company thus raised, and in which, declarant volunteered and served. That declarant and others of said company made frequent excursions from the Fort into the country, to watch the movements of the Indians, keep them in check, and prevent their depredations. That he performed service as a private, in said company, until on or about the 1 st of November 1776 as is his best recollection and was discharged, verbally, by Captain Porter at that time and at said Fort.
2 nd This declarant, on his said Oath, further states, that he again entered into the service of the United States, on or about the 1 st day of November 1778, as is his best recollection, at William Roses, where he then lived, in the State of South Carolina, on the waters of Fair Forest creek; the name of the county not recollected. He states that a party of Tories, a short time before, had made an attack on the house of Colonel Thomas near said Roses, and had killed a negro-man belonging to Colo. Thomas; whereupon, Captain John Thomas his son, and Captains Blasengame and Swearengen raised volunteer companies of mounted gun-men to pursue the Tories who fled in the direction to cross the Savannah River above Augusta. Capt. Thomas and his company declarant being one rendezvoused at Colo. Thomas', from whence they departed in pursuit of the Tories and were joined on their way by Captains Blasengame and Swearengen, they continued to pursue the Tories, crossing the Rivers Tige, Enoree and Saluda, until they arrived near

the Savannah River opposite to Augusta, when receiving intelligence that the party of Tories pursued by them, had been attacked, and with loss, defeated by the Whigs at Kettle creek on the Georgia side of the River; Captain Thomas conducted his company back to Colo. Thomas's and (verbally) discharged them, declarant being one of them, on or about the 15 th day of November 1778 as is his best recollection.
3 rd Declarant states that he again entered into the service of the United States in the state of South Carolina at the residence of his father-in-law William Rags with whom he then lived, on the waters of Forest Forest creek, the county not recollected, on or about the 25 th day of November 1778 as is his best recollection. That he was then and there drafted and served as a private in the militia company commanded by Captain John Thomas, and in the Regiment under command of Colo. Thomas and Maj r Branham. Declarant does not recollect the names of the Captains of the other companies composing the Regiment, but supposes that Captains Blasengarn and Swearingen and their companies were with them, but of this he is not positive. The regiment rendezvoused at Colo. Thomas's, and from thence proceeded to join and cooperate with General or Colonel Williams or Williamson, he is not certain of the grade or name, and joined the troops under command of that Officer on an eminence, a short distance from the Savannah River opposite Augusta. That from thence Declarant and Lewis Taylor and a party of about Forty men were detached to conduct military stores and provisions, in Waggons to General's encampment at or near the mouth of Brier creek; in pursuance of which declarant and the party crossed over to Augusta and proceeded down on the Georgia side of the river to within ten or fifteen miles of the encampment when receiving intelligence of the defeat of General Ash and surrender of his encampment to the British, declarant and Taylor and their party conducted their charge to Augusta, where they arrived in the evening and remained that night. Taylor and declarant crossed the river next morning and joined the troops not far from Augusta where they were encamped. From thence Colo. Thomas's Regiment was detached and proceeded to guard the ford of the Savannah River at Beech Island, where declarant remained and served for some time and was then regularly discharged from service on or about the 25 th day of February 1779, as is his best recollection. His discharge was written by Captain Thomas and signed by him by Maj r Branham and by Colo. Thomas. Leaving Beech Island encampment, declarant referred to the encampment of General Williams or Williamson, he is not certain which is the name of the General, and presented to him, for his approval and signature, his said discharge, and the General approved and signed the same. Declarant then drew and obtained provision to subsist him on his return to Mr. Rags the place of his residence.
4 th Declarant having removed with his family to Rutherford County, North Carolina, he was there, and and at the muster ground of Captain Jacob Vinzants there, on 1 st Broad River drafted out of the militia company commanded by said Vinzants. The object of the draft declarant states was to obtain men to guard and protect Colo. Earl's Block house or Fort on Pacolet River from expected attacks of British and Tories. After said draft, which was made on or about the 1 st day of September 1780, as is his best recollection, declarant proceeded, with others, to said Block house, crossing Second Broad River and main Broad River on their way. Declarant states, that he remained and

and performed duty as a private at said Block-house under command of Colo. Earle two months , he does not remember any other Officer in command at the Block-house except Colo. Earle. By permission of Colo. Earle declarant engaged as a volunteer private in a company of mounted gun-men on an expedition against the Cherokee towns on some of the head branches of the Tennessee River, to equip himself for which, with permission of Colo. Earle he departed from the Block-house, returned home, and having prepared himself for the expedition joined the party destined for that service at the place of rendezvous, an old field in Rutherford County North Carolina, on or about the 20 th day of November 1780 , as is his best recollection. He states, that there were two Regiments or parties engaged in this expedition, one commanded by Colo. Charles McDowell of Burke County, the other by Maj r Singleton of Rutherford County and both of them of North Carolina. That they proceeded under command of their respective officers, declarant being attached to Maj r Singleton's command and serving as a private in the company commanded by Capt. Robertson to the head waters of the Catawba River and through Swannano gap of the Blue-Ridge to the Cherokee Towns. As the troops approached the Towns, they were fired on parties of Indians from the hills, but with little or no effect, the troops rapidly crossed the river, entered the Towns killed and took prisoners about twenty seven Indians young and old and burned their Corn and Huts. After remaining there several days their Officers marched the troops back to the head of the Catawba River and there dismissed, and (verbally) discharged them on or about the 1 st day of January 1781 , as is his best recollection. Declarant states that he has no documentary evidence of his services, nor does he know nor can he procure the testimony of any witness to prove the same except Alexander Ross whose deposition he expects will be annexed hereto.
Declarant hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension Roll of any Agency of any State or Territory.
Under the solemnity and responsibility of his said Oath, he respectfully represents to the Commissioner of Pensions, That for the last six years he has resided in the late Territory, now State of Arkansas, in an obscure part of the country remote from the seat of justice or place of holding court, during all which time, he has been almost helpless, from old age and bodily infirmity, and totally blind. That he has not been able before this time to procure any person to draft and have presented for him his application for a pension under the act of Congress of 7 th June 1832. That from his great age, the length of time since the services set forth were performed, the variety of incidents, scenes and changes which have occurred to him, but above all, from the frailty of memory the attendant on old age, he has made the above declaration with much difficulty and after considerable thought and reflection. He is not certain that errors may not have been committed therein, particularly as to the periods at which his services are stated to have been performed; but if errors do exist therein, he declares that they are justly attributable to the imperfection of memory under the circumstances indicated and to no other cause. On his said Oath he states, that by reason of old age and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the

periods mentioned below and in the grade of a private Soldier.
 1. (To wit) I served as a Volunteer private under Captain Porter as before stated not less than 5 months  2. I served as a volunteer private under Captain Thomas after the Jones as stated before not less than 15 days  3. I served as a private of drafted militia in Colo. Thomas's Regiment as before stated not less than 3. months  4. I served as a private of drafted militia at Earle's Block house on Paulet as stated before not less than 2. months  5. I served as a volunteer private of mounted gun-men on the expedition against the Cherokee not less than 1. 10 days  and for such service I claim a pension. Total Service 11 months 25 days
And the said Justices then and there (To wit) at the time and place designated in the caption, propounded to the said Declarant, the questions following, to which, in their order, on his said oath he answered as follows (To wit)
 1 st Where and where were you born? I was born in York Government (now State of New York) in Woodbury Township, about 15 miles from the North River and about 60 miles from the Town of New York, on the 9 th day of September 1754 as informed by my father.  2 nd Have you any Record of your age, and if so where is it? I have no record of my age.  3 rd Where were you living when called into service, where have you lived since the Revolutionary War, and where do you now live? When first called into service, I lived in Rutherford County, North Carolina; I was also called into service whilst I lived in South Carolina, the name of the County I have forgotten; I was also called into service again whilst I lived in North Carolina Rutherford County, at the close of the war I was living in Rutherford County North Carolina. I lived there about 30 years, from thence I moved to the state of Tennessee, thence to Alabama, thence to Tennessee again and from Tennessee to Washington County Arkansas Territory, now State and I now live in Madison County in the state of Arkansas.  4 th How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer or were you a substitute? and if a substitute for whom? I volunteered and was also drafted into service.  5 th State the names of some of the Regular Officers who were with the troops where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect and the general circumstances of your services? I know of no regular officer who was with the troops where I served, unless Genl. or Colo: Williams or Williamson was a regular Officer, of which I cannot state positively. Colo Thomas's Regimt: Colo: McDowell's Regimt: and the Regiment or party under Colo: Singleton or rather Maj t Singleton are the only regiments I can now remember as having served when I served. I was not in any battle or engagement except that of the Cherokee Towns as mentioned in the preceding declaration and to which I refer for the circumstances of my service.  6 th Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it? I have stated that all my discharges except one were verbal. That was written by Capt. Thomas, signed by him, by Maj t Branham and Colo Thomas and given me by them, it was also signed by General or Colo: Williams or Williamson. It got out of my possession many years ago, I know not how, nor where it is. 

7 th State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
George Sanders, David Phillips, John Fitzworth, Henry Pickins, Pleasant Johnson, and I believe all to whom I am known, would unhesitatingly depose; that my character for veracity is good, and that my services as a soldier of the Revolution have been ever unquestioned, and by them confidently believed as by me stated.
James his  mark Gage
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid, before me John Austin an acting Justice of the peace and of the County Court of Madison County and State of Arkansas.
State of Arkansas } ss. County of Madison }
This day Alexander Rops aged Sixty-Six years and a resident of the County and State aforesaid personally appeared before the undersigned a Justice of the Peace and of the County Court of said County at the house of James Gage in said County, and being first duly sworn according to law deposes and saith, That the above declarant James Gage, on this day, in his presence signed and sworn to the preceding declaration the same being previously distinctly read to, and by him heard and understood.
This deponent cannot positively depose, as of his own knowledge, to the Revolutionary services of said Gage, but states, that he has intimately known said Gage, since since his earliest knowledge of almost any person. That William Rops mentioned by declarant, was this deponent's father. That he has always understood that said Gage lived with his father in South Carolina on the Waters of Fair Forest, and whilst living there, served as a soldier of the Revolution against the British and Tories. That with the exception of a few years only he has lived ever since in the neighborhood of said Gage, has often conversed with him and others reputed to have been Revolutionary soldiers of and concerning the services of said Gage as a soldier of the Revolution, that he always understood from them all that said Gage was a Revolutionary soldier, and that on the part of said Gage, that he served as set forth in his said declaration, so far as he can recollect and as he believes.
This deponent on this said Oath further states that said Gage has been very infirm for many years and is now by reason of bodily infirmity unable to attend Court. That said Gage has been totally blind for at least Ten years last past. That said Gage's reputation for truth, piety and morality is good, and so far as this deponent hath ever known or heard, has always been conceded unquestionable. That he is universally believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a Revolutionary soldier of the United States and this deponent is confident of the correctness of that opinion and that said Gage served as by him stated.
Sis Alexander his  mark Rops
Sworn to and subscribed by the said Alexander Rops this 22 nd day of September 1837 at the place mentioned
in the caption before me John Austin Justice of the Peace and of the County Court aforesaid
We Young Lamar a
Clergyman, residing in the county of Washington
and State of Arkansas and Allen J. Gillerland William Rops David Phillips and Henry Pickins residing in the same  County of Madison & State aforesaid hereby certify, that we are well acquainted
with James Gage who has subscribed by making his mark, and sworn to, the above Declaration; that we believe him to be Eighty-Three Years of age; that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and unquestionable truth, and that we concur in that opinion.
Henry Pickins Young Lamar Allen J. Gillerland David Phillips
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
before me John Austin Justice of the Peace and of the County Court of Madison County Arkansas.

And I the said John Austin then and there being a Justice of the Peace and of the County Court of the County of Madison and State of Arkansas do hereby declare my Opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War department that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier and served as he states. And I do further declare and certify that it is known to me that Young Luman who has signed and sworn to the preceding Certificate is a Clergyman resident in the the County of Washington and State of Arkansas, and that Alexander Rolf who has subscribed the preceding deposition and Henry Pickins David Phillips and Allen T. Gilliland who with said Luman have signed and sworn to the foregoing Certificate are residents of the County of Madison and State of Arkansas and that they and the applicant James Gage are all of them credible persons and their statements entitled to credit. And I do further certify that the applicant James Gage is well known to me, that he is and has been blind for the space of Ten years last, that he is very infirm and unable to attend the Court by reason of bodily infirmity. And I, the said Justice do hereby also certify, under my hand and private seal, having no seal of Office and no clerk whilst acting separately and not in Open Court, that the foregoing pages from et 1 to et 6 both numbers inclusive contain the Original proceedings had before me this 22 nd day of September 1837 at the house of James Gage in the County of Madison and State of Arkansas in the matter of the application of James Gage for a pension.
John Austin
(Seal)
Justice of the Peace and of the County Court of Madison County, and State of Arkansas.
State of Arkansas } County of Madison } ss.
I Henry B. Brown
Clerk of the Circuit and County Courts within and for the County of Madison and State of Arkansas Certify That John Austin whose name appears to the foregoing Certificate is, and was at the time of his signing the same a Justice of the Peace and also a Justice of the County Court of said County, the same being a Court of Record and he the said John Austin is duly Commissioned and qualified to act in said Office, and that the foregoing signature purporting to be his is genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of Office, at Office this 23 rd day of September in the year 1837
H. B. Brown Clerk
of the Circuit and County Courts of Madison

32262 Rev INVALID.
File No. 32262
James Gage Rev Rev War
Act: June 1 st 1821
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 150
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Rev. A. Bell Columbia
Rev. A. Bell Columbia
The Honorable Archibald Bell (m. 6) Now at the City of Washington District of Columbia
Hon. A. Bell H.R.
$30 \frac{33}{100}
for account of 10 days
James George Thomson
34.289

Pension Agency Office,
Little Rock, Ark.
14 July, 1888.
Sir,
I herewith enclose you the vouchers for payment of the following Pensions, viz:
Johnson Warmack, for 7 years, end.
March, 1888, @ $33 2 / 100 pr. ann $232.54
James Gage, for 7 years, ending 4
March, 1888, @ $30 33 / 100 pr. annum,
212.31
$444.83
When these claims were first presented to me, I declined paying them, on the ground that they came within  under the regulation of the Treasury Dept., under the act of 6 April last, requiring "That all money which has been, or may hereafter be, transmitted to the Agents for paying pensions, which may have remained, or may hereafter remain, in the hands of said Agents unclaimed by any pensioner or pensioners for the term of eight months after the same may have or may become due & payable, shall be transferred to the Treasury of the United States; and that all pensions unclaimed as aforesaid shall be thereafter payable only at the Treasury of the United States, & out of any money not otherwise appropriated." - But, on further reflec-

tion, I have come to a different conclusion, and have paid the amount due on both. — I have, however, thought proper to submit them to you, for your decision, before embracing them in my accounts to be rendered to the 3 d Auditor. — Had they been claims on which semi-annual payments had heretofore been made, there could remain no doubt of their coming within the law of 6 th April last — but, being original claims, on which no payments have ever been made, it would seem to me that they could not be considered due until the 4 th March last (the Certificate for Warmack's having issued 29 th March, 1838, & Gage's on 9 Dec. 1837), and that the eight months could only be considered as commencing from that date.
Be pleased to favor me with your reply as early as practicable, & at same time return me the vouchers.
I am, Sir,
very respectfully,
Yr. obt. serv t
J. L. Edmards, Esq. Comm r of Pensions, Washington City.
Wm. E. Woodruff Act.

Decr. the 5 th 1827.
Hon L. L. Edeard
Sir
Enclosed you have the petition of J. Gage for which you will please examine & report to me the result of your examination as soon as convenient.
I am your ob dt
Yrs
A. Hill